Can a dog live with a Grade 2 heart murmur?
Many dogs and cats with heart murmurs will live long, happy, healthy lives. They may never need treatment for heart disease. For some, the murmur can indicate something more serious.
Is it normal for puppies to have heart murmurs?
It is very common for young puppies, especially large breed puppies, to develop an innocent heart murmur while they are growing rapidly. The murmur may first appear at 6-8 weeks of age, and a puppy with an innocent heart murmur will usually outgrow it by about 4-5 months of age.
Should I worry if my puppy has a heart murmur?
We recommend following up with your veterinarian should your pet have a heart murmur. Also follow up if your dog is experiencing signs of heart disease, such as fatigue, exercise intolerance, chronic cough, and weakness.
How serious is a Grade 2 heart murmur in dogs?
Grade I murmurs are the least serious and are barely detectable with a stethoscope. Grade II murmurs are soft, but your veterinarian can hear them with the help of a stethoscope. Grade III murmurs have a loudness that falls in the middle of grades II and IV.
Do heart murmur in puppies go away?
Most puppies have soft murmurs at a young age, and most murmurs go away on their own by the time the puppy is four to six months old.” Heart murmurs are evaluated on a 6-point scale. A murmur that is characterized as a grade 2 or less is very likely to resolve; on the other hand, Dr.
How serious are heart murmurs in puppies?
A heart murmur in a puppy or a kitten may or may not be a serious problem. A murmur is an abnormal sound that is heard when listening to the heart with a stethoscope. Murmurs are due to atypical blood flow in the heart or the surrounding vessels, but they do not necessarily confirm the presence of heart disease.
How serious is a Grade 3 heart murmur in puppies?
Grade III murmurs have a loudness that falls in the middle of grades II and IV. Most murmurs that cause serious problems are at least a grade III. Grade IV murmurs are loud and can be heard on either side of the chest.
